Good evening. Well, tonight as we continue to approach Christmas day, I want to take a look at some of the names that we know Jesus by. To begin, I am going to ask you what names you can think of, and then we will examine some scripture and look at the meaning behind some of His names. Before we do that though, let’s just open with a word of prayer.
Okay, what are some of the names that you can recall Jesus being called? (Lamb of God, Lion of Judah, King, Savior, Messiah, Lord, Emanuel, Savior, King of the Jews)
Well, what I want to do this evening is focus our attention to the Old Testament book of Isaiah. Here in Isaiah 9:6 it gives us 5 names that Jesus is called. The title of this section of Isaiah is, “To us a child is born.” Let’s go ahead and read that passage at this time. Isaiah 9:6 says, “1”
Now, in this section we are told that to us a Child is born, a Son is given, and that the government would be on His shoulders. This is one of the prophesies that led people to believe that Jesus was going to be a real king. That He was going to come and take over an earthly kingdom and rule all of the government. That is why when Jesus did arrive; they tried to force Him into an earthly kings position.
When I first read this part of the verse, I think to myself that when it says, “the government will be on His shoulders,” that it is referring to the fact that He will have a Heavenly kingdom that He would be in charge of.
But then we are exposed to these 5 names that Jesus is called. Now the first one says in the NIV that He is a Wonderful Counselor. However, in other manuscripts and translations, that is 2 different names that He will be called. And that is how I want to look at them this evening.
Let’s start with the fact that He is Wonderful.
What do you think of when you hear Jesus being called Wonderful?
Well, I think that this name is simply referring to the fact that His person is remarkable. What Isaiah is saying, I believe, is that there is never going to be another person like Jesus. No one will ever come close to the person that Jesus is, He is simply wonderful.
Turn with me to Luke, and we are going to look at a few verses here in Luke’s gospel. First is Luke 2:18. Here in this passage it is talking about the shepherds right after the birth of Jesus. Here in Luke 2:18 says, “And all who heard it were AMAZED at what the shepherds had told them.” Even at the very beginning, at Jesus’ birth, people were amazed by Him.
Next, is Luke 4:22. This passage is talking about Jesus being rejected at Nazareth. Here in Luke 4:22 it says, “All spoke well of Him and were AMAZED at the gracious words that came from His lips.” Again, even when He is being rejected, we find that people were still amazed with Jesus.
And the last one from Luke is in 5:9. This occurrence happened when Jesus was calling His first disciples. Here in Luke 5:9 it says, “For he and all his companions were ASTONISHED at the catch of fish they had taken.” Jesus was able to astonish and amaze people with His power and with His words.
I think that what Isaiah is trying to tell us is that only one person deserves to be called awesome, wonderful, amazing. Because it was amazing the way He could love. It was amazing the way He answers prayers. His simple touch was amazing. His words, His deeds, His very presence was amazing. So he truly is a Wonderful person.
Next we see that He is called Counselor.
What do you think is the meaning behind that name?
Well, I believe that His will is knowable. We as humans are not able to figure everything out on our own. Sometimes we need to seek the counsel of someone wiser that we are. When people will turn for help, it will show a lot about the type of person they are. And you tell even more about that person when you see to whom they turn for that counsel.
Well with Jesus, this is how He counsels us. First, He has given us His word. The Bible is a great tool to use when you are looking for good advice. Unfortunately, not too many people turn to the Bible for good counsel. But He also gives us good counsel through the Holy Spirit. It is through the Holy Spirit that Jesus comes and continues to guide His people today.
But what are Jesus’ credentials that make Him a good counselor?
Well, I think that the 2 most important things that gives Jesus the credentials to counsel us is the fact that He is fully God, and fully man. First, He is fully God. That means that He knows all about us. Everything that there is to know about each and every one of us, He knows. But secondly, He is fully man. That means that He can sympathize with us. He has been in our place before, and He knows exactly how we feel. That makes Jesus a wonderful Counselor.
Moving on. Next He is called a Mighty God.
What do you think is the meaning behind that name?
Well, I think that it is referring to the fact that His power is still available. Turn back to Luke with me again. We are going to look at a few verses here in Luke once again to understand His power. First, Luke 1:35. Here in Luke 1:35 it says, “2”
So from the very beginning, Jesus had power. He began in power, and had power. Next is Luke 4:14. Here again it says, “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit.” Here we see the power of the Holy Spirit. We can also see the power of the Holy Spirit in Luke 9:1 as well.
But you see, we don’t have trouble believing that Jesus is powerful. We have trouble believing He is personal to us with His power. Well turn with me to Ephesians 3:20-21. Here in this passage it is talking about Jesus’ power. Here in Ephesians 3:20-21 it says, “3”
So, Jesus’ power is still available to us today, just as it was back when Jesus walked the earth. Because Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The same is true of His power. Let’s move on to the 4th name.
He is also called Everlasting Father.
Does anyone want to take a guess at the meaning behind that name?
I think that it means that His promise is unshakable. The word father means originator or author of a new being. The everlasting promise that Christ has given us is that he said, “I Am.” We are told throughout scripture to put on Christ, and to accept eternal life through Him.
God has made many promises throughout the Bible, and He has remained faithful to all of them. His promise of eternal life is unshakable. All we have to do is accept Him and follow in His ways to the best of our ability. I believe it was Paul who once said, “To be absent from the body is to be at home with God.” That wonderful promise that God has given us of eternal life, it is there waiting on every human being that is born to accept and choose that free gift.
And finally, this evening, Jesus is called the Prince Of Peace.
What do you think that name is referring to or what does it means?
Well, I think that it is referring to the rest that we can find in Him. The Christ Child would come and would bring peace. Now this is the peace that comes to an individual, and not the peace to a nation. He would come and bring rest for our souls.
Peace can be given to both you and me, if we will just seek Him out. This peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of rest and inner peace. Jesus came to give us a peace about the world, and to give us peace about the future. His death on the cross gives us peace in knowing that if we are a child of God, then we have the unshakable promise of eternal life.
If you have not experienced that peace yet, I would encourage you to do so soon. Well, those are 5 of the names that Isaiah mentions in reference to Jesus. Before we close this evening, does anyone have anything that they would like to add?
Well, if there is nothing else, I’ll have a word of prayer, and then we will sing our closing song.
Let’s Pray |
